The City of Pleasanton won a final legal battle Wednesday that will allow the Hewlett-Packard Co. to go forward with plans for a computer sales center to be located in Hacienda Business Park. Starting in 1985 an estimated $600,000 in annual sales tax revenues will now be realized by the city, preventing city deficits in future years.

Alameda Superior Court Judge Raymond Marsh refused to halt construction of 11 buildings at Hacienda that had already been unanimously approved by the City Design Review Board and the City Council. In making his decision, the judge said that he was "impressed by the potential for job loss and revenues to the City of Pleasanton if tenants such as Hewlett-Packard pulled out."

In response to a lawsuit brought on by an anti-growth group, Judge Marsh had ruled last March that Pleasanton must either change its General Plan or scale down commercial development at Hacienda. In his decision Wednesday, Marsh pronounced the re-approved Hacienda Planned Unit Development (PUD) in conformance with the city's General Plan as recently amended. Pleasanton voters must still affirm the General Plan Amendment in a referendum election set for April 10.

"I'm very pleased that Judge Marsh endorsed the city's uses 100 percent," stated Pleasanton City Councilman Ken Mercer.

Joseph W. Callahan, co-developer of Hacienda Business Park, said "the judge has now rejected every procedural challenge brought by the opposition, and we're glad their delaying tactics are finally at an end." Delays in construction have cost the city hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax revenues and building fees that could have been used for essential public services.

Callahan said "We're confident that the people of Pleasanton will uphold the unanimous decision of their City Council and will approve the General Plan Amendment and Hacienda Business Park in the April election."

To see a reproduction of the original article and edition of Pleasanton Pathways, visit: January 31, 1984 Pathways.